By default, we have moderate filtering enabled for Google search, that is Google filters explicit images from Google images search results, but it will not filter search results for web search. Today, Google has released other feature to lock SafeSearch so that no explicit content will appear in Google search results.

There are three SafeSearch settings available to users for Google search, they’re:

1. Moderate filtering : Moderate filtering has been set to all users by default, which will filter explicit images from Google images and does not filter anything in search results. So you are bound to get implicit or abusive content in Google with this setting.

2. Strict filtering : Strict filtering or SafeSearch filtering will filter all explicit images and content in Google search results. You have no chance of getting adult content when this setting is on.

3. No filtering : With ‘No filtering’ setting, you are open to view all sexual stuff, danger in visiting adult sites and downloading dangerous Trojans into your computer. So turning on this setting will do more harm to your computer than good. Hence turning off SafeSearch is not good for any user.

Till now any user or kid can change search settings from Moderate to no filtering by selecting “ do not filter my search results” and can continue to browse porn stuff from Google search results.

Now by locking SafeSearch with your Google account for a browser, no user can browse adult stuff in Google from that browser. The user or kid has to know the password of your Google account to unlock it.

How to Lock SafeSearch

To lock SafeSearch, open search settings of Google and click on ‘lock SafeSearch’, which asks you to login to your Google account or to re-enter your password if you’ve already logged in. Sign into Google account with Gmail id and password, and click ‘Lock SafeSearch’ which will lock explicit content on all Google domains.

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To know you are locked SafeSearch

balloons will appear on right corner of page in Google search results.

“SafeSearch is locked” shown below the search box.

Search for word porn will not yield any results as Google says “Porn is filtered from Google SafeSearch is active

Why Locking SafeSearch feature may not succeed

Kids these days are more cleverer than their parents.

Parents need to lock SafeSearch on all browsers they are using.

Browsers need to allow cookies for Google SafeSearch to lock.

Another search engine Bing is available to access porn stuff.

Can download different browsers and access abusive stuff.

Once parents unlock SafeSearch feature, kid having Google account can lock, unlock this feature with his Google account.

Of course, these days operating systems with built in parental controls and also software to block porn stuff are there.